Space 3D: A Pilot Study for Low-Cost Virtual Reality Space Exploration Learning

We aim to showcase recent planetary data in a new, and extremely low-cost, virtual reality system, by developing an app for Google Cardboard. Once the app has been developed, we aim to get people interested in planetary science through immersive public talks/activities that can travel to different festivals across the UK, including some non-science festivals, so that we can reach the broadest number of people. We will also engage school teachers with the technology and run a focus group to best practice use of the app in their classroom. We aim to reach over 1000 people through science festivals and targeted immersive talks. Our long-term aim beyond this project is to ensure that our app will be one of the most exciting methods of engaging with the ExoMars rover mission when it touches down in 2019. We will use this pilot study to develop the technology and do some formative evaluation so we can refine the events and activities for our different target audiences.

The primary resource of this project, the VR app, will be distributed free of charge through the Apple App Store and the Google Play for Android. An accompanying website will explain the project, provide links to talk, introduce the team, and provide a form for feedback. The successful aspects of the project will be shared with educators and communicators by Advisor Modinou through the UK Science Festivals Network, and also through the project website. PI Grindrod will inform other scientists of the project and results through word of mouth, both internal and external talks, and also through the project website. Finally, we also hope that the successful aspects of the project will be shared even more widely by the recipients of the targeted gifts.